The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
Yellow Tea-The Black Sheep of Teas
It's just been in recent years that teas other than black have caught on in the U.S..  Even so,        
white and green teas have received the most attention because of the many health benefits        
attributed to them.  So it's somewhat unlikely that you've even heard of, much less sampled         
yellow tea--what I call "the black sheep of teas."

Yellow tea doesn't fall neatly into any of the given     
 categories, so it even stumps the tea experts          
 outside of China, giving them pause for thought       
 when trying to explain exactly what it is.

Yellow tea starts out just like the other teas from      
the camellia sinensis tree, and like the other teas,    
it's the varying manufacturing techniques that           
determines the leaf's final outcome.

To that end, yellow tea has a lot in common with       
green tea; its freshness and that it's made using      
very early spring buds, and processed using the       
same methods up to the point of the initial firing.      
But that's where the commonality ends.
After the initial air drying, and just before the first firing, yellow tea undergoes an important          
additional step the Chinese call "men huan" (meaning "sealing yellow").  In this step the leaves
are given a light, slow steam, before being covered with a cloth, allowing the leaves to breathe
and reabsorb their own aroma.

This smothering cover step can last anywhere from several hours to several days, during              
which time the sweetness of the tea and the fragrance slowly increase.

By gently controlling the moisture content of the leaf, the chemistry is altered, making yellow         
tea distinctive.

Yellow tea is less likely to develop the strong, grassy flavor some green teas can, but rather       
has a smooth sweetness and light flavor.  Astringency or bitterness is rare for this tea to            
develop because of the covering step, as it inhibits the development of those pungent flavor
components in the finished tea.

Following the extra covering step, the manufacture of yellow tea is exactly the same as that of   
green tea.  But because of the extra work involved, you'll still see fewer yellow teas for sale       
today.  Also because of the lack of knowledge surrounding yellow tea, very few tea sellers         
know enough about it to promote it properly.

It's even possible that some teas that are currently being marketed as green tea, are actually   
yellow teas.  When you get the opportunity to try yellow tea, you'll be pleasantly surprised, and
I'm betting this is one tea you'll want more of.  Enjoy.
If you're shopping for fresh, high quality tea at the best prices, I
recommend a visit to Silver Leaf Tea Company.  With prices starting
at just $4.00 for 2 oz. and a 100 % money back guarantee, you can't
go wrong.  For a quick boost any time day or night, try their
Energitea Tea.  Or if your sweet tooth is screaming to be heard, try
their Organic Blueberry Tea- a great substitute in place of high
calorie desserts, and high in disease-fighting antioxidants, making it
a healthy choice, too.   
A quick lesson on how teas are named and graded.
Are you confused by all the different names, letters, and symbols surrounding tea?  We'll take the
mystery out by giving you a quick lesson on what it all means, giving you one more tool to use in learning
all about this mystical plant.

How do I choose the right tea for me?
Buying loose leaf tea for the first time can be confusing.  But we've taken the work out of it for you.  
With lots of helpful tips and information, we've turned confusing into confident.

The many health benefits of drinking tea.
If after drinking a cup of tea you seem to feel better, it's not your imagination. Tea contains a long list of
beneficial ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help you fight everything from
colds and flu, to cancer and heart disease.

Organic teas aren't just good for you, but Mother Earth, too.
Learn more about how organic teas are grown, and how to ensure the tea you're buying is certified
organic by the country it was grown in.

Make brewing tea a breeze with a few useful tools.
Brewing tea is an easy task, but with a few choice tools and accessories, you can make it even easier and
more enjoyable.

Flavored Teas-Everyone's Favorite
Satisfy your favorite cravings with a healthy, low calorie cup of tea.  Whether it's berries, citrus, or even
chocolate or caramel, your favorite flavor of tea is just waiting for you.

How jasmine and other scented teas are made.
Scented teas have been around since the third century, a process perfected by the Chinese.  Take a
close-up look at the manufacturing process for jasmine and other quality scented teas.

A cup of hot tea-just what you needed.
Nothing is more soothing, relaxing, or revitalizing as a cup of hot tea.  If you've had one of "those" days
and need to wind down, or just need a quick energy boost, check out these great recipes for hot tea.  
They're just what you needed.

Do you feel a cold or the flu coming on?  Quick...read this!
It may be hard to believe, but by just drinking a few cups of tea each day, you're boosting your immune
system and warding off illness.  Learn how tea helps stop the virus responsible for colds and flu, dead in
its tracks.
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How is white tea made?
White tea receives the least amount of processing, leaving it in its near natural state.  
Learn how this healthy tea is made, and why it's only available in limited quantities.

What secret ingredient is added when making puerh tea?
Puerh tea is considered to be a medicinal tea in China, and the secret to producing
this healthy tea my surprise you.

Oolong tea-nature and a careful manufacturing process make the difference.
Nature provides the perfect growing conditions, while a long, careful manufacturing
process gives oolong teas a wide spectrum of flavors, from light and sweet, to hearty
and robust.  Find your favorite!

How is black tea made?
Many people enjoy the full, robust flavor of black tea.  We'll walk you through the
manufacturing process step-by-step to show you what it takes to bring this quality
tea to your table.
For a great selection of quality teas, gifts, and
accessories, visit:
The Tea Detective's Gift of Tea Store
An easy-to-use ingenuiTEA teapot, whose ingenious design has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine and HGTV.
Receive A Guide To Tea, an 88-page book on the history and enjoyment of tea free with your first Adagio Teas order of $19 or more.
Gifts for lovers of tea with free wrapping of all items.